More than a few times, we’ve stood at the display of wind chimes in a store. We sound them. We compare the tones. We close our eyes and feel the vibration. Some we like immediately. Others we shrug, not-so-much. We give them a second try, ringing a few together to make mixed tones. We never buy the chimes but we always try them on for size. It’s a form of dreaming. We leave the display with the magic phrase, “Someday.” Yes, someday we’ll have to get those.
Someday. What a double-edged sword is this word!
A few years ago, when Kerri’s digestive system went awry, we dedicated ourselves to the Whole 30 diet so she might regain balance. There’s no sugar allowed in the Whole 30. We learned a valuable strategy for coping with the intense I-must-have-that desire. Walk past the plate of brownies and count to 5. In five seconds, without fail, the desire dissipated. We learned that what-we-must-have is a healthy system. The road to “someday” meant not biting the illusion of sugar-fulfillment.
Delayed gratification. Accelerated health.
Today we learned of Jonathan’s passing. The news floated by on the Facebook stream. We were stunned. In addition to being a very bright light in the world, a peer, he was one of the hardest working people I’ve ever known. He was stockpiling money for his retirement. He had vision. He had plans. “Someday,” he’d say, a twinkle-of-delight in his eye. We lost touch during the pandemic. This morning Kerri said, “I always thought we see him again. Someday…”
Delayed gratification. Accelerated health. Missed opportunities.
I’m given to looking up the words I’m batting around. The antonyms of “someday” are “immediately” and “never.” Two choices, polar opposites, both unforgiving.
Today we will celebrate the life of a friend. We’ll lift a glass in his honor. We’ll share a brownie bite. We might just go to the store and sound the chimes. And, who knows, maybe today will be someday. “Why wait?” I’ll ask.
read Kerri’s blogpost about CHIMES
[dinner at Jonathan’s house]
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Filed under: DR Thursday, Edges, Language, Perspective | Tagged: artistry, choice, choices, david robinson, davidrobinsoncreative.com, delayed gratification, friendship, grief, health, Kerri Sherwood, kerri sherwood itunes, kerrianddavid.com, kerrisherwood.com, loss, sound, story, studio melange, the melange, wind chimes |
The Direction of Intention 
[…] read DAVID’S thoughts this D.R. THURSDAY […]
Passing up BROWNIES? Well, if THAT really helps Kerri, I guess⦠As we get older we mature. Now when I say âweâ I DO NOT become mature and wise. Hell no! When you have time, see the first episode of âWaiting For Godâ â I AM Tom Ballard to a tee (when Iâm not listening to Kerriâs music and imagining I am Sir McCartney). Life is way too short to be a âstuffed shirtâ â so make people smile and laugh! Love to both of you! -Cris P.S. Brenda has trained Fluffy to come running for its bread.
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I’m not sure I’m getting mature as I grow old. I tell Kerri that I must be growing up and she rolls her eyes;-) And – yes – this ride is too short so a bit of smiling and laughter seems the best we can do. Stick on the ice?